Delphinium plant named ‘Coadelbol’

ABSTRACT

‘Coadelbol’ is a distinctive variety of  Delphinium  which is characterized by the combination of flowers with a large quantity of tepals and petaloids that exhibit a unique color combination of dark purple, blue and violet with pale yellow-green centers, an upright plant habit, a vigorous rate of growth, and the stability and uniformity of these traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation. The new cultivar produces a strong main flowering stem as well as a free and continuous bloom habit from early through late summer.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Delphinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Delphinium disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘Coadelbol’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofDelphinium, which has been given the variety denomination of‘Coadelbol’. Its market class is PLT/423. The genus Delphinium iscommonly known as a member of the Ranunculaceae family and may also bereferred to as Larkspur. Delphinium plants bear inflorescences of ashowy spike or racemes that may sometimes be paniculate and contain fewto many flowers on erect and sometimes branching stems. The genusDelphinium is unusual in that all three primary colors are representedin different species. The tall hybrids with their long spikes areavailable in a wide range of colors including purple, mauve, pink,white, and cream as well as varying shades of blue. In Europe, they aregrown as perennials but are treated as annuals in California and regionsof similar climate.

Parentage: The Delphinium variety ‘Coadelbol’ is the result of a plannedbreeding program carried out in Glasgow, Scotland. ‘Coadelbol’ is aseedling selection which resulted from the controlled pollination of twoproprietary Delphinium hybrid breeding accessions (unnamed,uncommercialized and undistributed) developed and owned by the inventor.The initial selection of the cultivar now known as ‘Coadelbol’ was madein August of 2008. At that time it was determined that said cultivarexhibited certain distinguishing characteristics that would provefavorable for commercial production and marketability.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘Coadelbol’ was first asexually propagated bytissue culture in 2012 at a tissue culture laboratory inRoelofarendsveen, The Netherlands under the control of the inventor. Thedistinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘Coadelbol’ cultivar arestable from generation to generation; clones of the cultivar produced bytissue culture maintain the distinguishing characteristics of theoriginal plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed andrepresent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Delphiniumcultivar ‘Coadelbol’. These traits in combination distinguish‘Coadelbol’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Delphinium ‘Coadelbol’ exhibits a floret with a high tepal        and petaloid count.    -   2. Delphinium ‘Coadelbol’ exhibits a unique color combination        within the floret.    -   3. Delphinium ‘Coadelbol’ exhibits an upright growth habit.    -   4. Delphinium ‘Coadelbol’ exhibits a high degree of plant vigor.    -   5. Delphinium ‘Coadelbol’ exhibits a primary inflorescence with        a strong peduncle.    -   6. Delphinium ‘Coadelbol’ exhibits a freely and continuous bloom        habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the foliage of the newcultivar, ‘CoadelboL’. The plant shown was 9 months old and grownoutdoors in Glasgow, Scotland using conventional production practicestypically employed for producing Delphinium plants. No disease or pestmeasures were taken in producing this plant.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the inflorescence of‘Coadelbol’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Delphinium known as ‘Coadelbol’, based upon observations of a9 month old plant grown outdoors in Glasgow, Scotland in a one liternursery pot from winter to summer, using conventional productionpractices typically employed for producing Delphinium plants. No diseaseor pest measures were taken in producing this plant. Observation datawas recorded in August of 2014.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘Coadelbol’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

A botanical description of ‘Coadelbol’ and comparisons with othervarieties of Delphinium are provided below.

Technical Description of the Variety.

-   Plant description    -   -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Growth habit.—Upright perennial flowering plant with flowers            arranged on terminal racemes; numerous racemes per plant.        -   Height.—Approximately 95.0 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 60.0 cm.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Tolerates temperatures as low as 5            approximately minus 20 degrees Celsius (twenty degrees below            freezing); upper temperature tolerance is unknown. No            tolerance for drought.        -   Disease and pest resistance.—Plants of the claimed plant            have not been noted to be resistant to pathogens and pests            common to Delphinium.        -   Propagation.—Tissue culture.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 4 to 5 weeks            to produce a rooted cutting.-   Root system: Fine, fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—One primary flowering stem with no lateral            branches.        -   Stem cross-section.—Slightly to moderately quadrangulate.        -   Stem length.—Approximately 50 cm, excluding the            inflorescence.        -   Stem width.—Approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Immature stem color.—Yellow-green, near RHS 147A.        -   Mature stem color.—Near RHS 143A, and covered with a very            thin waxy layer, the color of which is near RHS 191D.        -   Color at internodes.—Near RHS 143A, and covered with a very            thin waxy layer, the color of which is near RHS 191D.        -   Stem pubescence.—Base of stem is densely pubescent with            short hairs of approximately 0.1 cm in length and colored            white, near RHS NN155D; remainder of the stem is glabrous.        -   Stem texture.—Smooth.        -   Stem luster.—Matte.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 1.9 cm.        -   Strength.—Very strong.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Approximately 27 per main            branch.        -   Leaf length.—Average of 19 cm in length.        -   Leaf width.—Average of 22 cm in width.        -   Leaf shape.—Pedately lobed.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf base.—Hastate to strongly hastate.        -   Leaf margin.—Biserrate.        -   Texture (adaxial surface).—Glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Texture (abaxial surface).—Glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Pubescence (adaxial surface).—Absent.        -   Young leaf color (adaxial surface).—Near RHS 143A to 143B.        -   Young leaf color (abaxial surface).—Near RHS 143C.        -   Mature leaf color (adaxial surface).—Near RHS N137A but            slightly darker.        -   Mature leaf color (abaxial surface).—Near RHS 147B.        -   Venation.—Laciniate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—Near RHS 144A.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—Near RHS 144A.        -   Petiole.—Approximately 11.9 cm long and 0.45 cm wide; color            is near 144A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal raceme.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—Approximately 44.1 cm long, as            measured from the lowest flower to the apex of the            inflorescence, and 9.1 cm wide.        -   Peduncle.—Length — Approximately 41.0 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 0.4 cm. Color — Green, near RHS 143A to 143B,            but slightly darker. Attitude — Erect, in an average angle            of 0 degrees to the main stem. Strength — Very Strong.        -   Bracts.—Quantity — Two bracts are present at the base of            each pedicel. Shape — Linear. Length — 1.4 cm, on average.            Width — 0.1 cm, on average. Apex — Narrowly acute. Margin —            Entire. Color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces) — Near RHS            143A.-   Bud:    -   -   Flower bud shape.—Obovate.        -   Flower bud length.—1.3 cm, excluding the spur.        -   Flower bud diameter.—Averaging 0.9 cm.        -   Bud color.—Near RHS 94B to 94C, tinged near RHS 144B to            144C, with lower side colored near RHS 149D.-   Flower:    -   -   Flowering quantity.—About 90 buds and 98 fully opened            flowers per lateral branch, at one time.        -   Natural flowering season.—Midsummer to late summer.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately three weeks.        -   Longevity as a cut flower.—Approximately 7 days under high            temperatures; approximately 14 days under cool temperature.        -   Fragrance.—Not fragrant.        -   Pedicel.—Length — Approximately 3.1 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 1.5 mm. Texture — Smooth; glabrous. Color —            Near RHS 143B and 144B.        -   Perianth.—Consisting of a spur, a single whorl of tepals and            multiple whorls petaloids; the approximate diameter is 4.8            cm and the approximate depth is 2.7 cm, excluding the spur.            Aspect of corolla is upward to slightly pendulous. Flowers            are persistent. Tepal Description — Arrangement — Rotate.            Quantity — Five. Length — Approximately 2.5 cm. Width — Two            lower tepals average 1.6 cm and three upper tepals average            2.0 cm. Shape — Obovate. Margin — Entire, undulate. Apex —            Broad acute. Texture — Glabrous, slightly glossy and            slightly velvety. Aspect — Slightly curved backwards. Color,            When Opening (adaxial surface) — Near RHS 99B to 99C; base            and central stripe tinged near RHS 146C. Color, When Opening            (abaxial surface) — Near RHS 98A and 99D; base and central            stripe tinged near RHS 146B and 146C. Color, Fully Opened            (adaxial surface) — Near RHS 99B; base and central stripe            tinged near RHS 146C. Color, Fully Opened (abaxial surface)            — Near RHS 98A and 99D; base and central stripe tinged near            RHS 146B and 146C. Petaloid Description — Quantity — 15.            Arrangement — Rotate. Length — Average: 2.1 cm. Width —            Average: 1.2 cm. Shape — Obovate. Margin — Entire, undulate.            Apex — Broad acute. Texture — Glabrous, slightly glossy, and            slightly velvety. Aspect — Very slightly curved backwards.            Color, When Opening (adaxial surface) — Near RHS NN155D,            base and central stripe near RHS 145D, tip near RHS 94A.            Color, When Opening (abaxial surface) — Near RHS NN155D,            base and central stripe near RHS 145D, tip near RHS 94A.            Color, Fully Opened (adaxial surface) — Near RHS 95C and            85A, base and central stripe near RHS 145B to 145D. Those            petaloids near the center of the perianth are colored near            RHS 157D, base, central stripe and tip near 145B to 145D.            Color, Fully Opened (abaxial surface) — Near RHS 95C and            85A, base and central stripe near RHS 145B to 145D. Those            petaloids near the center of the perianth are colored near            RHS 157D, base, central stripe and tip near 145B to 145D.        -   Spur.—Shape — Oblong. Quantity per flower — 1. Length —            Approximately 0.6 cm. Width — Approximately 0.3 cm. Margin —            Entire. Texture — Glabrous, bullate. Color — Near RHS 146C,            heavily tinged near RHS 94B to 94C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—No stamens are present; all stamens are transformed            into petaloids.        -   Pistil.—No pistils are present, all pistils are transformed            into petaloids.-   Seed and fruit: None observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Coadelbol’ are similar to plants of the seedparent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid, in most horticulturalcharacteristics. However, flowers of the new variety have a higher tepalcount with a stronger, unique and more consistent color.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Coadelbol’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid, in mosthorticultural characteristics. However, flowers of the new variety havea higher tepal count with a stronger, unique and more consistent color.

COMPARISONS WITH SIMILAR DELPHINIUM CULTIVARS KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Coadelbol’ are similar to the cultivar,Delphinium ‘Coadelcha’ (co-pending U.S. Plant patent application Ser.No. 14/545,217). However, the claimed plant can be distinguished from‘Coadelcha’ by several characteristics. A comparison of ‘Coadelbol’ with‘Coadelcha’ is described in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘Coadelbol’ ‘Coadelcha’ Color of main Green, nearRHS 143A Near RHS 144A; heavily stem. and 147B; covered with a tingednear RHS N186C thin, waxy layer colored and covered by a thin,greyed-green, near RHS waxy layer colored greyed- 191D. green, near RHS198A to 198C. Color of peduncle. Green, near RHS 143A to Yellow-green,near RHS 143B, but slightly darker. 148A, but slightly darker. Leaflength. Longer than those of Shorter than those of ‘Coadelcha’.‘Coadelbol’. Leaf width. Wider than those of More narrow than those of‘Coadelcha’. ‘Coadelbol’. Perianth diameter. Smaller in diameter. Largerin diameter. Depth of perianth. More shallow than the Deeper than theperianth of perianth of ‘Coadelcha’. ‘Coadelbol’. Tepal color when NearRHS 98A and 99D; Near RHS 84D; base and opening, adaxial base andcentral stripe central stripe near RHS surface. tinged near RHS 146B146C. and 146C. Tepal color when Near RHS 98A and 99D; Near RHS 84C and84D; opening, abaxial base and central stripe base and central stripenear surface. tinged near RHS 146B RHS 146C and a darker and 146C.localized area or “dot” at the apex with color near RHS 146A. Tepalcolor when Near RHS 99B; base and Near RHS 84D; base and fully open,adaxial central stripe tinged near central stripe near RHS surface. RHS146C. 146C. Tepal color when Near RHS 98A and 99D; Near RHS 84C and 84D;fully open, abaxial base and central stripe base and central stripe nearsurface. tinged near RHS 146B RHS 146C and a darker and 146C. localizedarea or “dot” at the apex with color near RHS 146A. Petaloid color NearRHS 95C and 85A, Near RHS Purple 77B, 78D when fully open, base andcentral stripe and Blue 100A mixed with adaxial surface. near RHS 145Bto 145D. Yellow-Green 144A and Those petaloids near the 145A. center ofthe perianth are colored near RHS 157D, base, central stripe and tipnear 145B to 145D. Petaloid color Near RHS 95C and 85A, Near RHS 77B,78D and when fully open, base and central stripe Blue 100A, mixed withabaxial surface. near RHS 145B to 145D. Yellow-Green 144A and Thosepetaloids near the 145A. center of the perianth are colored near RHS157D, base, central stripe and tip near 145B to 145D.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Coadelbol’ are also similar to the cultivar,Delphinium ‘Coadelfla’ (co-pending U.S. Plant patent application Ser.No. 14/545,380). However, the claimed plant can be distinguished from‘Coadelfla’ by several characteristics. A comparison of ‘Coadelfla’ with‘Coadelbol’ is described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘Coadelbol’ ‘Coadelfla’ Color of main Green, nearRHS 143A and Near RHS 146A to 146B stem. 147B; covered with a thin, andcovered with a thin, waxy layer colored greyed- waxy layer coloredgreen, near RHS 191D. yellow-green, near RHS 147C to 147D. Color ofpeduncle. Green, near RHS 143A to Yellow-green, near RHS 143B, butslightly darker. 148A. Leaf length. Longer than those of Shorter thanthose of ‘Coadelfla’. ‘Coadelbol’. Leaf width. Wider than those of Morenarrow than those ‘Coadelfla’. of ‘Coadelbol’. Perianth diameter.Smaller in diameter. Larger in diameter. Tepal color when Near RHS 98Aand 99D; Near RHS 76A; the base opening, adaxial base and central stripeand also a darker surface. tinged near RHS 146B and localized area or“dot” at 146C. the apex with color near RHS 146A to 146B. Tepal colorwhen Near RHS 98A and 99D; Slightly lighter than RHS opening, abaxialbase and central stripe N77D; the base and also a surface. tinged nearRHS 146B and darker localized area or 146C. “dot” at the apex with colornear RHS 146A. Tepal color when Near RHS 99B; base and Near RHS 99B;base and fully open, adaxial central stripe tinged near central stripetinged near surface. RHS 146C. RHS 146C. Tepal color when Near RHS 98Aand 99D; Near RHS 98A and 99D; fully open, abaxial base and centralstripe base and central stripe surface. tinged near RHS 146B and tingednear RHS 146B 146C. and 146C. Petaloid color Near RHS 95C and 85A, NearRHS 76A; the base when fully open, base and central stripe near and alsoa darker adaxial surface. RHS 145B to 145D. Those localized area or“dot” at petaloids near the center of the apex with color near theperianth are colored RHS 146A to 146B. near RHS 157D, base, centralstripe and tip near 145B to 145D. Petaloid color Near RHS 95C and 85A,Slightly lighter than RHS when fully open, base and central stripe nearN77D; the base and also a abaxial surface. RHS 145B to 145D. Thosedarker localized area or petaloids near the center of “dot” at the apexwith the perianth are colored color near RHS 146A. near RHS 157D, base,central stripe and tip near 145B to 145D.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Delphiniumplant named ‘Coadelbol’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.